Possible virus, or hardware issue?

[oaktown311]

Allright, well, I'll just quickly break down whats happened and what I have done so far. A couple weeks ago I started experiencing hang-ups and longer than normal load times for apps, etc., and when my computer was left on all night, I was greeted w/ a "Windows Virtual Memory low" message and a freeze in the AM. I was told this is most likely due to the fact that my hard drive was near capacity, so I ordered a new 250gb HD. It came in, and I slapped it in the other day. Using WD tools, I transferred everything over from my old one, and made my new HD the primary boot drive (C. So far, I have notice no improvements in speed and yesterday I was greeted again with the Virtual Memory error and a lock-up. All I can think of is that I either have some kind of virus (I ran virus scan yesterday, though), I need better/more RAM mem, or I did not properly install my additional hard drive. Perhaps there is more I need to do in BIOS? Do I need to remove my old one completely? I'm fairly nub these days so any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Specs:
Gigabyte K8Triton mobo
Athlon 64 3500+
1gb Kingston ValueRam (PC2700)
OLD HD: Seagate Barracude 80gb @7200rpm IDE (about 4 yrs old)
NEW HD: WD Caviar 250gb SATA 3gb/sec

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: oaktown311
Allright, well, I'll just quickly break down whats happened and what I have done so far. A couple weeks ago I started experiencing hang-ups and longer than normal load times for apps, etc., and when my computer was left on all night, I was greeted w/ a "Windows Virtual Memory low" message and a freeze in the AM. I was told this is most likely due to the fact that my hard drive was near capacity, so I ordered a new 250gb HD. It came in, and I slapped it in the other day. Using WD tools, I transferred everything over from my old one, and made my new HD the primary boot drive (C. So far, I have notice no improvements in speed and yesterday I was greeted again with the Virtual Memory error and a lock-up. All I can think of is that I either have some kind of virus (I ran virus scan yesterday, though), I need better/more RAM mem, or I did not properly install my additional hard drive. Perhaps there is more I need to do in BIOS? Do I need to remove my old one completely? I'm fairly nub these days so any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Specs:
Gigabyte K8Triton mobo
Athlon 64 3500+
1gb Kingston ValueRam (PC2700)
OLD HD: Seagate Barracude 80gb @7200rpm IDE (about 4 yrs old)
NEW HD: WD Caviar 250gb SATA 3gb/sec

How is your virtual memory being managed? Is windows handling it or did you set it yourself? What processes do you have running when you get the errors? One Gb of ram should do you just fine unless you are a heavy gamer or run apps requiring more ram.

 

[oaktown311]

Yea Windows must be handling it cause I haven't set it myself. I have several processes running, but the one most recently added was a newly upgraded version of AIM. Could it be this new version of AIM that is causing the issues? That seems highly unlikely, but like I said the problems began occuring around the time I installed it. Other processes include Quicktime, wireless network app, Pop-up Blocker, Spybot Resident and PC tools Anti-virus.

Also, I agree your comments on RAM, as I am not a heavy gamer. Moderate to light is more like it. I don't think memory is an issue here. It's definately HD related.

Thanks for your help and inquiries. Any other help is appreciated as well.

p.s. I didn't really go into details in my first post, but I also have these annoying lag-ups when browsing the internet as well. A page that normally loads in 2-3 seconds freezes midway through loading for about 4-5 seconds and the HD (sounds like it) makes a burping noise, then loading of the page continues. So a process that used to take 2-3 seconds takes more like 10-12. One of the many annoying issues I've been experiencing lately.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I really doubt it is hardware related especially since you have a new drive. AIM could DEFINITELY be the culprit. Put the AOL down and step away, nobody gets hurt. Seriously, try a different IM.

You could also take Quicktime out of the lineup as it loads quickly on demand and there is no real reason to keep it going. However, I'm willing to bet AIM is the problem.

Could someone else be using your wireless connection? Have you locked it down?

 

[oaktown311]

Allright, I will definately go through my processes then. AIM might have to go, as unfortunate as it may be. Eventually what I plan on doing is formatting my new drive, reinstalling Windows XP (or Vista if I can afford it) and starting over with the exception of my music and a few important programs on my old HD, which I will just transfer over to the new one.

Yea it seems to be locked down pretty good, but I'll go through and double check. I'm very new to the whole wireless thing. Thanks again.

 

[JackRipper]

as far as the aim goes u could use an older vers www.oldversion.com

btw what ver window's xp are u using and are u using the original disk or a backup disk... sometimes some slipstreamed disk could be messed up causing a lott of kernal issues

wireless network app isn't really necessary if u can get the windows one working.
personally i use a decent antivirus program (switch between kapersky and norton 2k5) and never have the need for popup blockers or spybot. with your setup tho, even with those things listed u shouldnt have a problem.

definitely check ur processes

 

[oaktown311]

Can someone remind me how to get to the place where you can manage your processes.

I just checked out task manager and there is 55 total processes, many of which I don't even know what they are, which always worries me. Definately going to have to go through and remove several of these from my list. Thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

1) have you scanned for viruses? Do you have an antivirus now? If not, or if yours is antique or just not very good... free Kaspersky Configure as shown, update, and run a scan.

2) go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall stuff you don't ever need.

3) one way to look at stuff that auto-starts is to install Spybot Search & Destroy, click Mode at the top and switch to Advanced Mode. Now go down the left side to Tools, and use the System Startup tool to look at what's running at startup. There's a pop-out on the right edge of the window with tips.

4) install Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 and then use it to run Secunia's online checkup in case some of your software is outdated. Not directly related to the problem, but hey.


If you're still in doubt whether the system is clean of malware, you could use the mechBgon method of cleaning it (burn the whole Windows installation to the ground, taking no prisioners :evil: and then set it up securely). Also consider dropping a Private Message to Medea and ask if he can look over your HijackThis log for problems.

 

[oaktown311]

Yea I just did another virus scan yesterday w/ an updated version of PC Tools Anti-Virus and it found nothing. Spyware doctor found about 5 things which I removed, but none seemed to be high threat.

I have Spybot, and I went to the processes part, but that just kills them for the time being and doesn't remove them from your processes permanently. I guess the only way to do that is to do it manually through each programs configs.

AIM is definately gone today, as I've heard some other bad stories about the newer versions. But still having the same problems, laggy, glitchy loads and pretty slooowww start-ups/shut-downs. I am annoyed and almost to the point where I am ready to completely reformat new HD and reinstall windows XP.

p.s. I have an old copied version of Windows XP Pro, is it worth the $150 to buy a new ligitimate version of Windows or should I just go with Win XP w/ SP1?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You need to get a legitimate version of Windows. It is extremely bad form to talk about pirated software in these forums and can get you a permanent vacation.

That said, a fubared registry, conflicting drivers and, many other software glitches could be responsible for the poor behavior. Get a legit copy of Widows and do a clean install.

 

[ianhellman]

Originally posted by: oaktown311
Can someone remind me how to get to the place where you can manage your processes.

Start>Run> type "msconfig" then there is a Startup tab.

You can do this if you dont want to go through the install of Spybot. if you dont know what something is in that list, just do a search on google and it should pull up what it belongs to.

Originally posted by: oaktown311
AIM might have to go, as unfortunate as it may be.

Try Trillian or Miranda as alternative AIM chat programs. Trillian has lots of nice features and plugins and both have skins you can DL to customize them

just my 2 cents.